This is national collection week for Operation Christmas Child

SCOTTSBORO, Ala. - This week is the national collection week for Operation Christmas Child, headed by Samaritan Purse. Participants pack shoe boxes with small toys and essential day-to-day items.

There a number of local groups taking part, including Unclaimed Baggage. So far they've collected over 500 boxes in the past two days.

They say it's very important that they get involved and help with projects like these.

"This is a good ministry, a great way to reach out to children who don't get anything in life and they can celebrate a time of Christmas which they would never have otherwise," says David Maples of Unclaimed Baggage.

Unclaimed Baggage will be collecting boxes until Monday morning. For a list of drop of spots, you can visit Samaritan's Purse website